Welcome

Taylor Diversion Programs (TDP) is a youth and family focused support program which embraces a national movement to keep at-risk youth in school and beyond. By providing a comprehensive program that will empower youth to make positive changes in their lives, our vision comes with a clear understanding that every child is at-risk.

TDP believes that at-risk not only includes educational components, but also childhood health and wellness, mental health, substance abuse, and other issues that negatively impact a child’s sustainable quality of life.

Many potential and current behaviors of concern start when a child negatively interacts with an environment that is challenging. With an emphasis on nature and positive thinking, Taylor Diversion Programs offers youth and their families an opportunity to ultimately enrich their lives and enhance relationships.

Taylor Diversion Programs believes that all members of our community have the responsibility to provide youth with the opportunity to develop and grow to their fullest potential. By applying proven methods and strategies through evidence-based programming, we are confident that the quality of life will be improved for at-risk youth, their families, and the community.

Our Mission

TDP provides supportive prevention services for troubled youth and their families by using proven strategies in education, vocation, nature and wellness in order to create stronger, healthier communities.

Power of Nature

Set in scenic Tionesta, PA, along the Allegheny River, TDP lets nature serve as a learning laboratory for our at-risk youth. With a 22 acre peninsula and a 33 acre island, we are able to capture the rich opportunity nature gives us to engage youth in the experience of the outdoors. Our nature based foundation provides a setting where instruction and learning extend beyond the traditional classroom.

Richard Louv, renowned journalist, author, and proponent of “No Child Left Inside,” clearly identifies the positive impact that nature can have on the quality of life:

By tapping into restorative powers of nature, we can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable business, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds.Richard Louv

Louv’s message is inherent throughout the TDP philosophy. We believe engaging youth in nature and outdoors will result in reduced stress, increase cognitive development, improve attention span, and renew a sense of wonder and connection to the earth. Moreover, our TDP program will develop, nurture, and promote relationships of trust and interdependence with others.

Our Promise

As TDP grows, we will continue our commitment to exceed the expectations of the populations served; moreover, we will remain committed to treating every youth as family.

Our organization relies on the collective wisdom, knowledge, and experience of our instructors, mentors, and advisory board who believe that diversion programming efforts will positively impact the lives of at-risk youth, their families, and communities.

Youth eligible for the program will be identified and referred to TDP through their schools, self-referrals, Children and Youth Services, and/or County Court Systems.*

A youth’s participation in TDP may or may not be voluntary. Success in the program will be contingent upon the youth’s willingness to voluntarily accept services and sanctions. Participation will be made available to all youth regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious preference, or legal representation.

*Certain youth who may otherwise face formal processing in the juvenile justice system, will be considered for pre-adjudication diversion. These include:

First time offender Youth referred by school administrators Youth referred by magisterial district judges Youth charged with misdemeanors or non-violent offenses

Multi-Faceted Approach

TDP has created a unique, four-dimensional Prevention/Intervention program for youth:

Through our diversion programs, TDP provides experiences that give youth the opportunities they need to increase their chances for success and the necessary skills to better manage their risks through strength enhancement.

What others are saying…

Taylor Diversion Program not only addresses the development of competencies necessary for a successful transition to living independently in the community, but also includes a family component which assists in the rebuilding of relationships between family, caregivers, schools and communities, an area in which most of these youth have ‘broken many bridges’. Mentoring is a critical component of this program which will be an ongoing process throughout the stay.Children and Youth Services Representative

“After visiting the site and hearing the plans you have for TDP, I believe the types of programs and services that you propose to offer will fulfill an important need in the region. The intent of this mentoring program is to help at risk children develop the competencies needed to develop a successful lifestyle and assist in rebuilding relationships between family, caregivers, schools and communities.”Congressman

“I am firmly convinced that having this leadership and mentoring program in our area will have a very positive impact on our students, our schools, and our communities. It is discouraging to witness deteriorating behavior and performance in young people who we know have ample potential, but are not served adequately by the confines of public education. I know that the motivation behind Taylor Diversion Programs is to reach students before they head too far down the wrong path. Even at our small, rural high school, we encounter numerous students that become involved with juvenile probation, placement facilities, and/or incarceration during and after high school. Taylor Diversion Programs will create a scenario where caring adults can have a positive impact in preventing the patterns of negative behavior, rather than reacting to it after the fact.”-Guidance Counselor

TDP is a 501(c)(3) organization, fully licensed by PA 3800 regulations to operate a residential independent living program. We also have a private licensed school, through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Lighthouse Island Academy.

BINGO at Taylor Diversion Programs

We now offer BINGO on the 3rd Friday of every month! TDP students and mentors have operated a set of “cash-pay” Bingo games that have attracted many community members, as well as patrons from Tidioute and Titusville.